But, what happens during the phenomena of the midnight sun or polar night? When the sun never sets or darkness becomes constant, what happens to our identity when that fundamental time structure disappears? Without a clear reference point, what shapes our routine? Can we maintain the rhythm that usually structures our days?

Living without Night and Time as the Architect of Identity

Identity is not only built through memory and social interaction, but also through routine. Sunlight signals when we should be productive, and nighttime invites us to rest. But when this boundary dissolves, routine becomes harder to maintain, and the days seem to merge into an eternal cycle.

Personally, I wasn’t in Lapland during the summer months, but I did experience the polar night. While living in darkness is difficult due to a lack of vitamin D and the cold, locals say that the midnight sun is even more challenging. Having the sun hovering over the village at 4 a.m. makes it extremely difficult to sleep.

In the summer, although it’s hard to sleep, people tend to be more productive. The issue is that the sun’s constant presence prevents locals from stopping, reinforcing overproductivity. In contrast, the polar night places you in a state of rest, even if it’s three in the afternoon. The body stops obeying the usual time cues that once structured our routines.

On one hand, the absence of a clear beginning and end generates disorientation. Time feels like a continuous flow, and everything seems to blur together. Every day, I woke up and went to sleep in the dark—whether it was 9 a.m. or 9 p.m., the sky looked the same.

Still, this experience allowed me to engage with a new kind of temporality I hadn’t known before. My body lost the familiar sun-and-moon boundaries, but I found other ways to frame my context. It was no longer the sunset, but the end of the workday and dinner with colleagues.

These social events—our new, shared routines—helped us create time in the darkness. The end of a book chapter, a walk to search for the Northern Lights. These became new reference points that gave us a new sense of temporality.

Who Are We Without the Structure of Time?

Living without a clear separation between day and night forces us to face a fundamental philosophical question: how much of what we believe we are is simply a reaction to nature’s and society’s imposed rhythms? If time stops organizing our existence, what is left as a reference?

Perhaps, in the absence of external time, identity roots itself in the pure experience of the present—not in what’s coming or what’s past, but in what is, here and now. In that state, we might approach a more authentic version of ourselves: a self not dictated by schedules or obligations, but by the sheer sensation of being alive in a world where the sun and night no longer mark the rhythm.

The Arctic, indifferent to our reference frames, forces us to rethink our relationship with time—and, ultimately, with ourselves. Maybe by losing temporal structure, we discover a freer, more malleable, more real identity.

A Liquid and Malleable Self

When time ceases to be a rigid framework, identity becomes more fluid. Without clear references for beginning and end, the labels we usually assign ourselves lose meaning. Whether you’re a morning or night person no longer matters in such extreme places.

Thus, the collapse of the self opens space for internal and external exploration. We must create new routines and temporal boundaries, but also new ways to define ourselves. If we embrace new paradigms, a more flexible version of ourselves emerges.

If you are interested in other natural phenomena in the Arctic, you can check out:

The polar night in Lapland

Stratospheric Clouds

The Ghosts Trees

The post Living Without Night: Time, Identity, and the Arctic Experience appeared first on .

A Hotel That Returns to the River Every Spring

Built with ice and snow blocks extracted from the nearest river, the Ice Hotel naturally melts each year with the arrival of spring. In this sense, it follows a cyclical rhythm, much like nature itself. It comes from the river and eventually returns to it after four months. This powerful image makes us reflect on impermanence and the beauty of transience.

Thousands of tourists visit the Ice Hotel in Lapland every winter, knowing that it will vanish when spring arrives. This made me wonder: What does it mean to visit a place that will disappear in just a few months? Unlike historic monuments that have stood for centuries, the Ice Hotel exists only for a season.

My Experience at the Ice Hotel

The original Ice Hotel is located in Jukkasjärvi, a small village in northern Sweden, about 200 km above the Arctic Circle. It is open to visitors from December to April, just before the spring thaw.

Each year, artists from around the world work tirelessly to design and sculpt the hotel’s rooms, beds, lamps, and decorations—all made of ice from the Torne River. This means that no two rooms are ever the same. Every space has a unique theme and atmosphere, captivating thousands of travelers who step inside.

Despite being made of ice, the rooms feature electricity and lighting. Some even include small ice objects with intricate textures and patterns. The beds are covered with reindeer hides to keep guests warm.

However, spending the night there is not entirely comfortable due to the extreme cold inside the hotel. During my visit, I had to wear a snowsuit and multiple layers of thermal clothing to stay warm. While guests receive thermal sleeping bags, the cold remains noticeable.

A Year-Round Ice Experience

For those who want to experience the magic of the Ice Hotel beyond winter, there’s Icehotel 365, a permanent structure that allows visitors to stay in ice rooms even in summer. Thanks to solar-powered refrigeration, this section of the hotel offers a unique experience year-round. It also features a famous ice bar, where drinks are served in glasses made of ice.

The Ice Hotel and the Philosophy of Impermanence

When I left the Ice Hotel, I realized that I would never see it again. Even if I returned next winter, it would not be the same. The fact that it is rebuilt every year with different themes made me reflect on the impermanence of all things.

As Buddhism teaches, nothing is eternal—not joy, nor sorrow. The Ice Hotel is a powerful reminder of this principle. All the ice columns, arches, and sculptures crafted by renowned artists will inevitably return to the river from which they came.

In this way, the hotel’s art becomes a testament to accepting transience. Its fleeting nature is what makes it so beautiful. Unlike historical landmarks that will outlive us, the Ice Hotel is different: we precede it, and we will remember it as something that existed only for a short time.

Just as trees blossom in spring, the Ice Hotel will rise again next winter, ready to enchant new visitors.

Final Reflection: Finding Beauty in the Temporary

As I watched the sun reflect off the ice sculptures, I understood that the beauty of impermanence does not lie in the sadness of loss, but in the intensity of the present moment. The Ice Hotel is not less impressive because it will disappear—on the contrary, its temporary existence makes it even more special.

Perhaps the greatest lesson is to embrace change instead of fearing it.

📌 If you’re interested in Arctic life and experiences, check out my posts on Polar Nights, Stratospheric Clouds, and Working in Lapland.

You can also check out other travelers experience in Trip Advisor

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I first discovered the concept of the sublime while studying literature at the University of Buenos Aires. One day, my professor discussed this idea, putting into words the feeling I experienced whenever I gazed at the sea or the mountains. When I arrived in the Arctic and beheld not only its endless forests but also its star-covered skies, I realized that this entire setting could be described using this term.

In this article, I want to explore the philosophical concept of the sublime and its connection to the Arctic landscape. Additionally, I aim to delve into how this encounter with the grand and terrifying can influence our psychology and our perception of the world. Perhaps this exploration will help you as much as it helped me years ago.

What Is the Sublime?

The term “sublime” refers to an aesthetic experience that combines awe, vastness, and terror. In philosophy, particularly in the works of Edmund Burke and Immanuel Kant, the sublime is a state that provokes a mix of admiration and fear. It is not merely beauty but rather a beauty that overwhelms us, making us feel small and insignificant in the face of something immense.

In this sense, humans tend to associate the sublime with natural phenomena or disasters. For example, a hurricane is terrifying but also considered profoundly beautiful due to its power and magnitude. The same can be said for tsunamis, storms, the universe, and the ocean.

Edmund Burke, in his work A Philosophical Enquiry into the Origin of Our Ideas of the Sublime and Beautiful (1757), describes the sublime as an aesthetic experience that takes us beyond mere beauty:

“The sublime is anything that can provoke a sense of greatness—whether through magnitude, power, or darkness—making us feel the smallness of our existence while simultaneously filling us with admiration and fear.”

From Kant’s perspective, in Critique of Judgment (1790), the sublime is linked to our ability to reason in the face of the infinite and the overwhelming. According to Kant, the sublime has a moral dimension that elevates us beyond our physical nature:

“The sublime is not the object itself but rather the effect it has on us when we are confronted with the idea of something infinitely great, something that surpasses our capacity for understanding and forces us to face our own limitations.”

A Manifestation of the Sublime in the Arctic

The Arctic, in this sense, is a perfect embodiment of the sublime. The dense, seemingly endless forests perfectly illustrate the feeling of human smallness in the face of vastness. Similarly, the northern lights and the star-filled skies testify to an immeasurable grandeur.

Everything in the Arctic appears magnificent, eternal, and profound: the bare trees, the frozen lakes, the polar night, the silence, and the overwhelming solitude. These elements remind us that we are merely human and that many things are entirely beyond our control. In this sense, we can also consider the frigid temperatures that define Lapland. On one hand, the Arctic climate is responsible for the stunning white landscapes. On the other, it makes survival difficult and can even be dangerous for humans.

The sublimity of the Arctic’s conditions exposes our inability to control nature’s forces. A land of immense beauty, it is also unforgiving and often inaccessible. However, it is precisely this cruelty of nature that fascinates us and reminds us of our vulnerability.

Fear in the Face of the Arctic Sublime

Fear is a natural response when encountering the sublime. During my first season in the Arctic, the natural phenomena filled me with both fear and admiration. There was something about the whiteness of the snow and the dry wind that fascinated me but also unsettled me. The -50°C temperatures painted a breathtaking sky but also threatened our survival.

In the Arctic, it is essential to strike a balance between respect and admiration for nature. I believe it is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, yet it is also one of the most ruthless. Every season, frostbite cases abound, and the cold remains humanity’s greatest adversary in these lands.

The icy wind, the storms, and the polar night contribute to a lingering sense of vulnerability that stayed with us throughout the winter. It felt as if the endlessly stretching forests served as a constant reminder that we were merely visitors, that we did not belong. Indeed, throughout history, the populations that have inhabited these lands have had to fight ceaselessly against the cold and the unending winter.

In this sense, vulnerability and fear emerge as reactions to the uncontrollable forces of nature. However, this type of fear does not have to be negative; rather, it can serve as an evolutionary response that makes us more aware of our limits and our relationship with our environment. When confronted, this fear can also trigger a sense of awe and a deeper appreciation for nature.

Burke also noted that fear allows us to experience the grandeur of the sublime through our own vulnerability. According to him:

“Terror, though derived from something negative, becomes positive in its sublime expression, making us aware of our fragility while simultaneously allowing us to admire and contemplate greatness.”

How the Arctic Confronts Us with Our Own Limits

Although the Arctic instills “fear” and exposes our limitations, it also enables us to recognize our capacity to adapt and survive. According to Kant, the sublime makes us aware of our limitations through contrast, but it also elevates us morally:

“The sublime reminds us that our ability to comprehend the infinite and the grand transcends our physical nature and connects us with a higher moral dimension beyond the physical realm.”

Our encounter with the sublime reminds us that many aspects of life are beyond our control, whether it be events like death or natural phenomena that leave us in awe. However, fully accepting our lack of control and insignificance can also be liberating. By embracing the unknown and surrendering to the course of events, we can become more aware of the beauty and magnitude of the world around us.

Conclusion

Living in the Arctic compels you to admire the beauty of nature while also accepting the limits imposed by human existence. The cold, the vastness, the solitude, and the darkness define this landscape, yet they also impose a perpetual boundary. In some way, nature reminds us that we are merely visitors, minuscule beings compared to the grandeur of the sublime.

However, the cruelty of nature in this part of the world is merely one side of the same coin. To truly appreciate this place, I had to accept that I was living in conditions often extreme for human life.

Thus, fear and respect are not emotions that separate me from the Arctic but rather ones that invite me to connect with my surroundings. I accept that my existence is irrelevant to the ancient trees that stand firm despite the harshness of winter. If I were to suffer hypothermia, Lapland would not stop for me. And that’s okay.

Living in Lapland has helped me accept our insignificance and admire these natural phenomena with complete humility, setting aside my ego. We are limited and finite beings, fragile in the face of cold and darkness. But this acceptance has deepened my connection with my environment and with the idea that we are surrounded by an ancient beauty beyond our comprehension. And that’s okay.

If you are interested about life in the Arctic and other natural phenomena, you can check my post about Working in the Arctic, the Polar Night or the Polar Stratospheric clouds.

Did you know about the sublime? Let me know in the comments!

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Working and living in a hotel in Lapland, at the heart of the Arctic Circle, is a unique experience that allows you to disconnect from the hustle and immerse yourself in the magic of the polar winter. I never imagined that I would end up working in a hotel near the northernmost point of Europe. For two winters, I moved to the small village of Karesuando, about two hours from Kiruna.

As an Argentinian, I faced situations that pushed my body and mind to the limit. It wasn’t just the temperatures dropping to nearly -50°C but also the darkness and isolation. However, if you manage to adapt, living and working in an Arctic hotel throughout the winter can be an incredible experience that fosters personal growth.

In this article, I want to share what it’s like to work as a hotel supervisor in the Arctic. Although I have worked in other hotels across Europe, my experience in Lapland was entirely different due to the challenges posed by the extreme climate, darkness, isolation, and the type of tourists that visit.

Karesuando: A Small Arctic Village

Lapland, with its vast snowy landscapes and extreme climate, offers an unparalleled sense of isolation. Living and working in an Arctic hotel means being surrounded by absolute tranquility, where nature’s sounds replace city noise. This remoteness, far from daily stress, becomes a perfect refuge for those seeking peace and serenity at the edge of the world.

However, after a few months, life in a village where everything closes at six in the evening becomes monotonous. Karesuando, located on the border between Finland and Sweden, is a place where early closures and empty streets are the norm. Few cars or buses travel the frozen white roads.

The village has two supermarkets, a gas station, a gym, a pub (thankfully), a library, and a café. But as mentioned, everything shuts early, and finding people around is difficult. Because of this, my main entertainment was socializing with fellow workers from all over the world who shared the same house with me.

 

 

 

We were all on the same adventure: surviving the cold and ourselves, learning from new people and places. Conversations over a beer, night walks searching for the Northern Lights, tasting reindeer or gloggy, and learning new words in different languages became part of daily life.

The Challenge of Working and Traveling in Arctic Cold

Lapland’s extreme climate is an integral part of working in a hotel in the Arctic Circle. Winter temperatures can drop to -40°C, and the polar night seems endless during the winter months. For both workers and tourists, adapting to the cold is the first challenge upon arrival.

Adaptation varies depending on nationality, age, and body type. In my case, after one or two weeks, my body adjusted, and I learned how to dress appropriately. Of course, I experienced mood changes, shifts in eating habits, and fluctuating energy levels. With the onset of darkness, my appetite increased, and my motivation for physical activity decreased.

For guests staying for only 3 to 4 days, the experience is quite different. With ages ranging from 20 to 80 years old, there’s a wide spectrum of experiences. Younger visitors find the freezing temperatures manageable with the right clothing and multiple layers, whereas for older adults and children, the cold is a real challenge.

What Is It Like to Work in the Arctic?

Work schedules vary—some start at six in the morning, others at three in the afternoon, or even eight at night. A few years ago, this might have seemed strange to me, but in the Arctic, it makes no difference. During the polar night, with only three hours of daylight, there’s little distinction between working in the morning or at night. Time feels irrelevant, and the sky looks almost the same throughout the day.

As I work inside the hotel, I don’t need many layers of clothing—just enough to get to work. However, instructors and drivers, who spend most of their day outdoors in subzero temperatures, take about ten minutes to put on all their layers. They wear so much clothing that there’s a dedicated room for storing their boots and coats.

As a supervisor, one of my key responsibilities is checking the hotel’s indoor temperature. Before guests check into their rooms, I ensure all windows are properly closed, the radiators are functioning, and the pipes aren’t frozen. I also inspect locks and doors, which frequently get damaged due to the cold.

Outside, I check for ice around the entrance, ensure pathways are clear of snow, and monitor the central heating. Additionally, we need to keep an eye on guests—whether they are cold or, more importantly, if they have any accidents during excursions.

The outdoor staff has other responsibilities, such as ensuring snowmobiles, vans, and work equipment function properly. They also carry first aid kits and blankets in case of emergencies, as well as walkie-talkies and various incident reports. Many of them work until after midnight, as once the Northern Lights tours conclude, they must clean and park the snowmobiles, remove ice, and store helmets, gloves, and other gear.

Tourists Who Aren’t Prepared for the Arctic

Many tourists arrive through travel agencies selling Arctic trips linked to Santa Claus and Christmas, downplaying the cold. Unaware of their destination, they are often shocked by the freezing temperatures, isolation, and darkness. On check-in days, the question “Where are we?” is asked at least three times at reception.

This question is so common that the reception team has maps and guides ready to explain that we are in the Arctic, closer to Norway than to Rovaniemi, Santa Claus’s city. Guests often tell us they didn’t bring gloves or scarves, assuming they were arriving in a bigger city. Because of this, we keep an extra supply of thermal socks, gloves, scarves, and hats at the reception.

Older visitors, often traveling alone to fulfill a lifelong dream of visiting Lapland, face numerous challenges—not just the cold but also isolation, lack of resources, the nearest hospital being four hours away, and icy surfaces that can be dangerous.

Working in the Arctic requires anticipating these situations and improving guests’ experiences as much as possible. Often, we treated them like children, asking if they had gloves, scarves, at least three layers under their snow suits, and if they had eaten before an excursion.

Here, we aren’t just hotel staff—we are also responsible for their health and well-being. Unfortunately, tourism in this area thrives on selling an idealized experience, often leaving guests unprepared physically and mentally. As hotel staff, we try to bridge this gap and help them enjoy their vacation without major issues.

Unique Experiences in the Arctic Circle

So, if it’s so cold, why do people visit? Lapland is more than just freezing temperatures and snow—it offers unique experiences. Visitors can enjoy thrilling activities like husky sledding, reindeer rides, and snowmobile safaris, as well as sports such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing.

Natural phenomena like the Northern Lights and stratospheric clouds attract thousands of tourists every season. Tour companies capitalize on these events by selling overnight stays in glass or real igloos for aurora viewing.

However, the Northern Lights are often oversold. While breathtaking, promotional photos and videos are frequently enhanced, giving the false impression that they are constantly visible. Disappointed guests sometimes complain that they were “promised” the auroras would always be in the sky.

Reflections on Life and Work in the Arctic

Ultimately, living and working in Lapland is more than just a temporary job in a remote hotel—it’s a lesson in resilience, adaptation, and connection with the essentials. It teaches you to be present, embrace both beauty and challenges, and appreciate what you have and who you are.

Lapland is not just Santa’s home or a place where the Northern Lights always shine. Instead of chasing an idealized version of Christmas or the auroras, perhaps the real value lies in experiencing the Arctic as it truly is—in all its beauty and complexity.

 

If you ever worked in the Arctic, let me know in the comments! 🙂

 

If you are interested in life in the Arctic, you can also check my articles about The Polar Stratospheric Clouds, The Polar Night or the Ghost Trees! 

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The post What It’s Like to Work in the Arctic: Life in a Remote Lapland Hotel appeared first on .

The Arctic is a land of dreamlike landscapes, where snow and ice transform the environment into a surreal scene. One of the most astonishing natural spectacles is the so-called “ghost trees” in Lapland, tree formations covered in thick layers of snow and frost that resemble ghostly figures emerging from the white ground. But what causes them? Where can you see these surreal-looking trees? Join me as we uncover the mystery behind this phenomenon.

What Are Ghost Trees?

Ghost trees are pine and spruce trees that, due to the extreme winter conditions in Lapland, become entirely covered in snow and ice, taking on strange, sculptural shapes. This phenomenon occurs when:

• Wet snow and freezing winds cause snowflakes to stick firmly to the branches.
• Frost and condensation from cold air add additional layers of ice.
• Snowstorms continuously reshape the trees, giving them twisted, sometimes humanoid forms.

How Do Ghost Trees Form?

The formation of these trees is a fascinating natural process involving extreme atmospheric conditions. During the coldest months, the combination of subzero temperatures, high humidity, and constant winds causes snow and ice to gradually accumulate on the trees. This process can last for weeks or even months, depending on the severity of the winter.

As snow builds up on the branches, the additional weight forces the trees to bend and twist, giving them an even more dramatic appearance. Furthermore, temperature variations can cause the ice to partially melt during the day and refreeze at night, creating thick layers of translucent ice. This repetitive cycle is responsible for the sculptural appearance of these trees.

Best Places to See Ghost Trees in Lapland

If you want to marvel at these trees and capture some of the most breathtaking winter landscapes, here are some of the best locations to find them:

1. Riisitunturi National Park (Finland)

This park is one of the most famous for its “puukkelot” (as the Finns call these snow-covered trees). Its hills offer panoramic views where the trees resemble a gallery of natural sculptures.

2. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park (Finland)

Lesser-known but equally spectacular, this park offers winter hiking trails through these trees, ideal for those seeking a more immersive nature experience.

3. Saariselkä Region (Finland)

Located near the Arctic Circle, this area features boreal forests where snow-covered trees create a fairytale-like atmosphere. It is also an excellent location for viewing the northern lights.

4. Abisko Region (Sweden)

Abisko is famous for its clear skies, perfect for northern lights viewing, but it also boasts ghost trees, especially in Abisko National Park.

Final Reflection

The ghost trees of Lapland are a testament to the majesty of the Arctic winter. Observing them feels like stepping into a dream world, where nature plays with snow and ice to create ephemeral sculptures. The first time I saw them, I couldn’t stop wondering what they were and how they had formed.

During the darkness of the polar night, these white trees stand like guardians of Lapland’s eternal forests. Especially last season, when temperatures dropped to nearly -50°C, these giants accompanied us throughout most of the winter. This year, with much milder temperatures barely reaching -20°C, many people have not had the chance to see them.

For me, nighttime walks in search of the northern lights were made even more beautiful by the silhouettes of these trees. In the vast frozen expanse of Lapland, one is faced with absolute silence, an endless white landscape that invites deep introspection. Gazing at these trees is a reminder that even in the most extreme conditions, nature always finds a way to create beauty.

If you enjoyed this article and want to discover more Arctic secrets, check out my posts on the Polar Night and Stratospheric Clouds!

And if you’ve ever walked among these ghostly trees, let me know in the comments!

The post The Mystery of The Ghost Trees in Lapland appeared first on .

During my time in the Arctic, I witnessed not only the breathtaking Northern Lights but also another celestial marvel that remains underrated: polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs). These rare and ethereal clouds, often overlooked, are among the most stunning sights the Arctic sky has to offer.

A Rare Arctic Phenomenon: More Than Just Northern Lights

Even rarer than the auroras, polar stratospheric clouds require extreme atmospheric conditions to form. They consist of ice crystals that appear in the stratosphere at temperatures around -80°C. Their vibrant colors—pink, purple, and golden hues—create an apocalyptic yet mesmerizing spectacle that has fascinated sky watchers for centuries.

Over my two seasons working in Lapland, I saw them countless times. These and other phenomena that grace the Arctic skies were, for me, blessings that made me feel like one of the luckiest people on the planet. After repeatedly gazing at the sky, phone in hand trying to capture photos, I started to wonder how people in the past would have interpreted these signs and what explanations they might have given.

From Omens to Awe: How We Perceive Celestial Phenomena Through Time

I also pondered whether the ancient inhabitants of this land saw these phenomena as positive or negative omens. Today, the Northern Lights and polar stratospheric clouds are regarded as representations of the natural beauty around us. Their appearance brings us only joy and happiness and gives us the chance to share stories with our loved ones. With the adoption of the scientific paradigm, we now understand how these phenomena form, and our civilization no longer needs to create mythical narratives to explain their origins.

However, it’s well known that in the past, many civilizations interpreted sky phenomena as omens of fate, which were not always positive. Sudden changes in the sky were often seen as signs of significant collective changes. These mythical explanations were hardly ever questioned, and people would constantly look to the sky for answers.

The Symbolism of the Sky in Ragnarök

Ancient civilizations saw the sky as a reflection of divine will. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, certain “signs in the sky” are mentioned as precursors to a series of catastrophes. In Norse mythology, there is also the concept of Ragnarök—the end of the world—which is accompanied by skies on fire and other anomalous phenomena in the heavens.

According to these civilizations, Ragnarök represents the final destiny of the gods and humanity, where the sky fills with ominous signs. Many of the phenomena described in these myths match those that occur in the Lapland region, especially during the winter. There is mention of a darkening sun, an endlessly long winter, and stars falling from the sky.

In this context, it’s easy to imagine that the polar stratospheric clouds could evoke the image of a completely disturbed sky. Their unusual and almost supernatural appearance likely led to their interpretation as omens of crisis or transformation in times of uncertainty.

Polar Clouds and Climate Change: A New Apocalypse

Another phenomenon that caught my attention was the difference in the frequency of these clouds last year versus this year. During my first season in Lapland, from November 2023 to March 2024, I saw them only twice. This season, however, I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve rushed out to capture photos of these clouds.

It wasn’t just me who noticed this change, but also my colleagues who have spent over three or four winters here. In light of this, I wondered whether these clouds could, just like in the past, be a forewarning of a catastrophe in the modern sense of the word. Perhaps we’re no longer talking about the literal end of the world, but instead about a different kind of change that could affect the entire planet.

Today, the increased frequency and visibility of stratospheric clouds are linked to climate change. These clouds are more common due to the growing presence of water vapor in the upper atmosphere, a phenomenon related to human activity.

For many, this phenomenon serves as a visual manifestation of humanity’s environmental impact and a warning about the consequences of global warming. From a symbolic perspective, these clouds could be seen as a new version of the “sky on fire.” But this time, it’s not divine intervention causing the chaos; it’s the result of human actions on the planet.

In this sense, there is no mythical or apocalyptic explanation, only a rational one that accounts for the abuse humans perpetuate on Earth. The coming tragedy is not the end of the world, but an irreversible change with consequences that we may not fully understand yet.

Conclusion

The modern paradigm allows us to formulate a rational explanation for what happens in the sky. In this way, certain celestial phenomena, like the appearance of stratospheric clouds, have lost their mythical meaning and gained a scientific one. We now know that these clouds are not omens of an impending catastrophe, but the result of ice particle formation in the stratosphere.

However, the possibility of providing a rational explanation doesn’t eliminate the chance to interpret them as negative signs. Today, we know that they do not signal the arrival of the apocalypse, but their recurring appearance is a direct consequence of the abuse we continue to inflict on our planet.

One last point I’d like to highlight is that the rationalization of this phenomenon has not diminished its beauty. In this sense, just like our ancestors, we can still look to the sky in awe and feel drawn to it. We no longer need to create myths to explain it or give it a deeper poetic meaning; we can simply admire it for what it is: a natural phenomenon.

Lastly, despite the secularization process and the fact that we live in a world that leaves little room for magic or mythification, it’s important to note that humans have never stopped looking to the sky for answers. In this sense, we have not abandoned our essence. We remain beings who surrender to the vastness of the universe and seek answers from something greater, whether through science or the stars.

If you are interested about the arctic and more phenomena related with life in Lapland, check out my article about The Ghost Trees and The Polar Night!

The post Skies on Fire: Polar Stratospheric Clouds and the Apocalyptic Imagery appeared first on .

In this article, I will share my two seasons in Lapland and the physical and mental changes I underwent during the polar night. Particularly during the month when we did not see the sun, the psychological and physical implications were profound.

But, as they say, the night is not eternal. By mid-January, the darkness finally begins to recede. What fascinated me most about this experience was the collective emotional decline and the coping strategies I observed among my colleagues and housemates. Living in perpetual night was a silent journey into the depths of my mind. The darkness revealed the shadows and deficiencies within us all.

Natural Phenomena During the Polar Night

Although the sun disappears during the polar night, absolute darkness is rare. On clearer days, the snow reflects the faint twilight. The sky often takes on pink or violet hues, resembling a sunset that lasts for hours. Another striking phenomenon is the “blue light,” a soft bluish glow that appears on the horizon during the few hours of semi-daylight.

And, of course, the northern lights—one of Lapland’s biggest attractions—become even more visible due to the extended hours of darkness. On clear nights, these mesmerizing auroras paint the sky with vibrant colors, attracting travelers from around the world.

Psychological Impact of the Polar Night

While the polar night may seem fascinating from an aesthetic perspective, its impact on mental health is undeniable. The lack of sunlight disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disturbances and reduced serotonin and melatonin production—key neurotransmitters for emotional well-being. As a result, many people develop Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to seasonal light changes.

During my time in Lapland, I witnessed how prolonged darkness affected both residents and seasonal workers. Many exhibited signs of constant fatigue, irritability, and deep melancholy.

People adopted various coping mechanisms—some turned to alcohol, others sought superficial relationships to combat loneliness, while others immersed themselves in excessive work, socializing, or gym sessions. The common denominator was clear: no one could simply sit and embrace the present moment without trying to escape the darkness.

Some took vitamin D supplements to compensate for the lack of sunlight, while others overindulged in food or caffeine. But at the end of the day, when it was time to sleep and be alone with the darkness we had spent all day avoiding, we all faced the demons that seemed to emerge from the shadows.

Walking through my house at night, I sometimes couldn’t tell whether I was passing by a housemate or their psychological “Shadow,” in the Jungian sense. It was as if their darker, suppressed selves had been unleashed, wandering the halls like specters.

Paradoxically, the eternal night illuminated the deepest recesses of our minds—those we often ignore. But in Lapland, faced with the vast darkness that stretched on for weeks, we had no choice but to confront our inner ghosts and sit with the discomfort.

Adapting and Surviving the Darkness

Despite the challenges, Lapland’s inhabitants have learned to adapt to the polar night. Creating cozy environments with candles, blankets, and social gatherings helps counteract the darkness with warmth and companionship. Even in extreme conditions, staying connected with nature is crucial. Activities like walking under the auroras, skiing, and traditional saunas provide both physical and mental refuge from the absence of sunlight.

However, many locals still struggle with the lack of light and isolation. This is why alcohol consumption is heavily regulated in Finland and Sweden. In the small town where I lived for four months, only beer was available for purchase. For stronger drinks, we had to travel to another city, provide identification, and pay a significantly higher price than in other parts of Europe.

For newcomers, adapting can be difficult but not impossible. Maintaining a structured routine, using appropriate artificial lighting, and maintaining a balanced diet are essential strategies. Personally, I found that taking advantage of the few hours of daylight—whether for a short walk or simply observing the sky—helped establish a sense of temporal reference.

Light and Darkness: Lessons from the Polar Night

The polar night in Lapland is a stunning phenomenon that offers a unique perspective on the relationship between humans and nature. While the lack of sunlight poses significant mental health challenges, it also teaches valuable lessons in resilience and adaptation. In the deepest darkness, even the smallest light holds immense meaning. It is in these moments that we learn to appreciate the warmth of a conversation and the strength of the human spirit.

For me, the key was embracing the darkness instead of resisting it. To survive the polar night, I sat with my intensified emotions and discomforting thoughts. I asked myself what they were trying to teach me. Instead of escaping through vices or using people as distractions, I learned to see the beauty in the Shadow that walked beside me.

Yes, the night reached me and shook my spirit to its core, but it did not break me. Over time, I learned to accept it as a teacher, one that illuminated the wounds I needed to heal. Without facing that discomfort, I would not have gained such profound self-awareness.

Sunrise

Now, in mid-February, the polar night has ended, and we can see the sun for at least two hours a day. We sit outside just to admire it, relishing in its light—even though in this part of the Arctic, it is not warm. But that doesn’t matter. We appreciate its beauty and celebrate those fleeting hours of sunlight as if they were an extraordinary phenomenon.

It feels as if the eternal night has shifted everything, establishing a new order. Slowly, life will return to normal. But for now, after a long period of darkness and ghosts roaming the house, we celebrate having conquered our own shadows and returning to the light—even if only for a short while.

If you are interested in other phenomena related with the Arctic, you can check out my article about the Polar Stratospheric Clouds!

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